Escuadrilla Azul
Tech Sergeant
- 1,704
- Feb 27, 2020
They don't give a shit about public opinion. Money on the other hand ......
View: https://twitter.com/Tendar/status/1622707556773769216
I don't feel particulary sad about that.
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They don't give a shit about public opinion. Money on the other hand ......
View: https://twitter.com/Tendar/status/1622707556773769216
I was trying to think of a way to explain what I view as the primary obstacle to Switzerland supplying Ukraine with war material, and noticed this statement in the video up-thread:
"If Switzerland wants to be neutral, it would have to treat all warring parties, including Russia, equally when it comes to arms exports."
This says it better than I can and should explain the conundrum they operate under, and the problem with people wanting them to supply Ukraine.
I'm giving the Russians better than zero odds of taking some serious ground within the next 30-45 days. NATO's dithering on long range precision artillery/rockets, SAMs, IFVs, and modern tanks, combined with every NATO politician now announcing the training and planned delivery of these systems, has presented Putin will a must-take, narrow timeline opportunity to do serious damage to the UAF before these new NATO-supplied weapons are in front line use in the late spring or early summer. By the first week of March the Russians are going to rush forward with everything they've got - likely bringing forth the thus far mostly absent Russian airforce, plus every land attack capable missile they can obtain. I expect another rush on Kharkiv, if only diversionary.![]()
Russian reinforcements pour into Ukraine ahead of anticipated new offensive, local governor says
Desperate for Western military aid to arrive, Ukraine anticipates a major offensive could be launched by Russia for "symbolic" reasons around the February 24 anniversary of the invasion, as the war reaches a pivotal point.www.abc.net.au
Could be. But such a rush forward will decimate (more) the russian army to such an extent that I doubt it could repel the ukrainian counterattack with modern western weapons.I'm giving the Russians better than zero odds of taking some serious ground within the next 30-45 days. NATO's dithering on long range precision artillery/rockets, SAMs, IFVs, and modern tanks, combined with every NATO politician now announcing the training and planned delivery of these systems, has presented Putin will a must-take, narrow timeline opportunity to do serious damage to the UAF before these new NATO-supplied weapons are in front line use in the late spring or early summer. By the first week of March the Russians are going to rush forward with everything they've got - likely bringing forth the thus far mostly absent Russian airforce, plus every land attack capable missile they can obtain. I expect another rush on Kharkiv, if only diversionary.
Agreed. But Putin has no choice. If he waits until autumn 2023 to regroup and plan a proper offensive he'll be facing hundreds of NATO-made MBTs and IFVs, plus likely F-16s, Gripens, Mirages and Apaches, supported by ATACMs, SAMs, top-tier attack drones, and every PGM the West can provide. The Kerch bridge has at best another sixty days to live, likely half that. Putin must take the offensive before Ukraine is reinforced. If the Russian army is destroyed, so be it, because don't forget that Russian territory itself is sacred, Ukraine can't take a step into Russia.Could be. But such a rush forward will decimate (more) the russian army to such an extent that I doubt it could repel the ukrainian counterattack with modern western weapons.
I would point out that Putin and his allies come from the KGB in a time when they were actively (and effectively) courting and wooing Western business, technology, and politicians who thought that the relationship with Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union would benefit them and the West. Some of that thinking was idealistic and some for personal benefit. The KGB bought that influence during the downfall of the Soviet Union and the period following that. Some of that influence is still there. The KGB were very good manipulators. Putin thought that this influence, along with other factors, would be enough to give him a manageable situation even after he pissed off the West post-invasion. I would recommend the book "Putin's People" for a more in-depth look at these machinations.I don't see why the Hungarians and non-NATO Serbs are fans of Putin. The latter should know how Russia treats any non-allied neighbours.
Anyone is allowed to operate as he wishes, but they should abide to the consequences:Heaven forbid that anyone should be allowed to operate under views of morality and responsibility? integrity? (not sure what the best words are) that are not the same as your's or mine.
Can you imagine Russia, assuming they have the place surrounded, trying to invaded Switzerland? If the Russians had trouble taking Finland, Switzerland will be a disaster. We don't need to worry for the Swiss, they kick everyone's ass, and if they can't, they finance both sides.Wonder what will happen to a country the size of Switzerland if it was totally surrounded by Russia and refused to fold to Russia demands.
Zelenskyy visits UK, as the patter's training programme for Ukrainian personnel is extended to include fighter pilots (possible harbinger of future changes on provision of modern combat aircraft?):
![]()
President Zelensky in first UK visit since invasion of Ukraine
The Ukrainian leader meets PM Rishi Sunak and King Charles, and will make a speech to Parliament.www.bbc.com
This demonstrates the importance of having your own military tech and production. If ever the RAF is all F-35s, Washington will direct British foreign policy on such matters. Hopefully we see the Tempest step in. As for the Eurofighter, can the ofttimes obstructionist Germans block the Typhoon due to tech sharing? It would look sweet in Ukrainian colours.US would have no veto as the Typhoon is outside ITAR.
This demonstrates the importance of having your own military tech and production. If ever the RAF is all F-35s, Washington will direct British foreign policy on such matters. Hopefully we see the Tempest step in. As for the Eurofighter, can the ofttimes obstructionist Germans block the Typhoon due to tech sharing? It would look sweet in Ukrainian colours.
View attachment 706090
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Russian T-90M Proryv tanks using drones to reach artillery accuracy in
Joint operations by Russian crews of the most modern T-90M Proryv tanks and small-size drone operators in the area of the war in Ukraine make it possible twww.armyrecognition.com
If it were totally surrounded by Russia, it would have been absorbed sometime before the 17th CenturyAnyone is allowed to operate as he wishes, but they should abide to the consequences:
- Maybe some countries decide to go rogue and send the weapons anyway without the consent of Switzerland. After all, MY country weapons where bought and paid with MY taxes, no Swiss can come to ME to say what I can or cannot do with MY taxes. What are they going to do, invade Italy or France or Spain?
- They will lose (they are already losing) many defense contracts with 3rd countries. It's not very wise to buy weapons you cannot actually use freely.
- In a globalized world, maybe some Swiss defense companies move its headquarters to another country to escape or mitigate the loss of defense contracts.
That being said, despite being surrounded by NATO, no NATO country is going to invade Switzerland because they refuse to give permission to those same NATO countries to transfer weapons of Swiss origin to Ukraine. Wonder what will happen to a country the size of Switzerland if it was totally surrounded by Russia and refused to fold to Russia demands. See the difference?